Basketball

‘Kuya Dray’ Blatche officially back in action with Gilas Pilipinas

Norman Lee Benjamin Riego on Nov 19, 2017 08:42 PM

Not even after a day after arriving in the country, Andray Blatche went right to work.

The naturalized Filipino practiced with Gilas Pilipinas in the morning at the Meralco Gym in Ortigas and then practiced again in the evening at the Araneta Coliseum.

This, even though he only arrived in the country late Saturday evening.

For the 31-year-old, it was no big deal. “I’m already pretty comfortable with the offense, the defense, the players, and coaching staff so it’s a quick adjustment for me,” he told reporters.

Blatche will reinforce Gilas in the upcoming FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. He last wore the flag in the 2017 Southeast Asian Basketball Association Championship last May.

According to the six-foot-11 big man, he is all ready and raring for battle. “I’m great. I’m in good shape ‘cause you know, I’ve been playing in China,” he said, referring to his tenure with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association.

And when the Philippines finally takes the court against Japan on November 24 before hosting Chinese Taipei on November 27, the goal is quite clear. “I’m just looking forward to winning so wherever we are, the main focus is winning. We’ll go to Japan to get a win and then come back here and get a win,” he expressed.